Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park

On 28th June 1996, Khao Sam Roi Yot was established as the first coastal National Park in Thailand. Literally meaning "the mountain with 300 peaks", it is only a 45 minute drive south of Hua Hin and east of Pranburi.

The whole area is of prime ecological importance for Thailand. Limestone mountains rise up to 605 meters from the coastal marshes making it a topographical wonder.

Bird-life is vibrant and there have been over 300 species recorded, many of which migrate from China, Siberia and Northern Europe. The best times to see them is between November and May as they firstly fly southwards and then back north as the park is on the main Asian-Australian flyway of birds. If you are a keen ornithologist, Khao Sam Roi Yot is one of the best places to be at the above times of year. Even for those with no particular "bird-watching enthusiasm", the park will delight you with these natural migratory patterns.

But that's not all that is offered by Khao Sam Roi Yot. The forested sections support a wide variety of wild life and a trek through them can reward you with sightings of Serow and blackish goat antelope, dusky or spectacled langur, crab-eating or long tailed macaque, barking deer, porcupine and a whole host of others.

You can make your way up to caves of spectacular sizes through forest trails, rest on fine white sandy beaches, take boat excusions to outlying islands, enjoy the food that is on offer throughout the park and maybe, just maybe you might be lucky enough to see the pods of dolphins that inhabit the bay.

If you are interested in nature and want a relaxing day, or more, away from Hua Hin, Khao Sam Roi Yot will not disappoint you.

National Park fees

These fees were yet again amended on December 1st 2007. There are now four categories of National Park. The first and most expensive will cost a foreign adult THB 400 and a foreign child 200, whereas a Thai adult gains entry for THB 80 and a Thai child 40. These parks are mainly found in southern Thailand around Phuket and the north.
Category 2 will cost THB 200/100/40/20 repectively.
Category 3 will cost THB 100/50/20/10 respectively.
Category 4 are free for all.
In the past, foreigners holding Permanent Residency, a Work Permit, a Thai driving licence or on foreign exchange student status were able to gain entry at Thai prices. If you have one of the above, it will be worth while discussing it with the rangers.
If you visit more than one National Park in a day, there is no additional charge unless any are more expensive than the first, in which case you will pay the difference..